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Talking Truth, Awareness, and Social Justice at The Promise New York Premiere

“I embarrassingly did not know about the Armenian genocide,” said Christian Bale, “and I think that’s the point.” The British actor portrays an AP journalist in The Promise, and at last night’s star-studded premiere at the Paris Theatre, Bale admitted to learning about the genocide along the way. “No one was ever really held accountable,” said Bale, who explained that the goal of the film is larger than entertainment. “They always saw this as a bigger picture for a social campaign. The point is: What can be done now? Why is it that 100 years later, we’re still witnessing on the news similar stories. In the script, you have Armenians who were up the mountain of Musa Dagh, and on the news at the exact same time you had the Yazidis who were up a mountain and slaughtered by ISIS. It might be 100 years old, but it’s tragically relevant.” That sentiment was echoed by one of the evening’s hosts, ambassador Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, permanent representative of Armenia to the United Nations. “[The film] is a building block for raising awareness about the atrocities that can be perpetrated against a whole people. This is a message for humanity that there is still a need [for] global action.”

For Armenian-American actress Angela Sarafyan, the film also hit home. “My great-great-grandparents fled to Syria, to Aleppo, for refuge, and now people are fleeing to come to different places for refuge again,” said Sarafyan, resplendent in a heavily encrusted evening dress from Reem Acra. “It will be very touching for people to have their own experience watching the film rather than it just being a history lesson.” Sarafyan’s costar Charlotte Le Bon agreed, adding, “One hundred years later, history is repeating itself and it’s not a good thing.” Speaking about her role in the film, Le Bon felt humbled: “For me, this woman becomes a symbol of courage. It’s so noble and was really flattering for me to do.” Also taking in the film was fellow Armenian-American actor Eric Bogosian, who has been busy with his role as a hedge fund master of the universe on Billions. “It’s a thrill,” shared Bogosian, who added his favorite part is “working with Terry Kinney. He’s so unlike himself!” As for the significance of the film, Bogosian, like Sarafyan, had a personal connection. “To be this viscerally involved in things that actually happened to my family 100 years ago is a very intense experience,” said the actor. “Of course, to have the truth come out finally after all this time is good for all of us.”